Automatic sprinkler



May 10, 1949. zw s 2,469,832

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER Filed Nov. 23, 1946 27 I I 1 ze\- Z3 a. k 30' 3/ \32 /22 2o Z9 36 37 I I 2/ INVENTOR. v LEROY M. Law/s I H/s ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER Leroy M. Lewis, Rosemont, Pa. Application November 23, 1946, Serial No. 711,979

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an improvement in automatic sprinklers such as are commonly employed for automatically releasing a stream of water or a fire extinguishing liquid in a frangible container, whenever a certain predetermined temperature has been reached in the vicinity where such automatic sprinkler is located.

Specifically, my present invention is an improvement over the construction and relationship of parts shown in my prior patent, No. 2,125,510, patented August 2, 1938, wherein I disclosed one form of frangible vesse or bottle having a predetermined rupturing temperature. In my present application, I am improving this form of frangible vessel or bottle in a way to provide the most effective means for sealing the contents thereof from escape to the outside atmosphere.

Another important feature of my invention consists in the provision of a series of metal caps having markings thereon of gradually increasing temperatures for the purpose of applying the appropriate metal cap of the series to a frangible bottle having the corresponding predetermined rupturing temperature, as indicated by the marking.

Another feature or object of my invention is the use of a specific mounting for a frangible vessel or bottle comprising a link structure having fusible material which releases the suspended frangible bottle at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature of rupture of such bottle.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a mounting device for a frangible vessel or bottle adapted to secure the frangible bottle in position so as to provide uniformity of pressure peripherally about the neck thereof adjacent the air space above the expansive material or liquid.

Another object of my invention is a novel form of closure means or cap for the frangible bottle by means of fusing a metal cap to the outer edge or rim of the neck of the bottle.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a variety of forms of metal closure caps adapted for use in frangible bottles under varying conditions, one form of such cap involving merely a disk-shape, a second form being adapted for suspending the bottle, and a third form of cap providing means of access to the trapped air at the sealed end of the bottle.

A specific object of my invention is the desirability and possibility of providing an accurate method of controlling automatic sprinklers by means of providing a frangible bottle of the desired pressure and temperature sensitiveness so as to meet a wide range of uses under varying conditions.

A general object of my present invention is to assemble the frangible bottle in position relative to the closure of the pipe fitting, thereby releasing water under pressure upon fracture of the bottle.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and'pointed out in the claim.

Other objects will appear and be better understood from the several embodiments of my invention which are set forth in the following detailed description.

Reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings forming a part of my specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of mounting device for an automatic sprinkler, comprising a large container or bulb, preferably spherical, containing carbon tetrachloride and which is adapted to fracture at a predetermined temperature.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the metal cap for the frangible container or bulb of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second form of mounting device for an automatic sprinkler, in which the frangible bottle or container acts as a part of the holding means for the closure or cover of the open end of a yoke member.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one form of frangible bottle element suitable for the mounting device of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-section taken axially through a modified form of frangible bottle specifically adapted for the mounting device of Figure 4.

A preferred method of mounting a frangible bottle in position as a safety means for fire extinguishers comprises a vertically mounted bracket member having a pair of horizontal arms 8, 8 projecting from a vertical rod 1, supported in a wall bracket I0. Centrally positioned between the horizontal arms 8, 8 is a fusible link having a relatively low melting point which is carefully selected to be lower than the predetermined temperature of rupture of the frangible bottle or container I, so that such bottle will be released a short time before the critical temperature selected for the automatic sprinkler. The fusible link 5 is suspended from the upper arm 8 and is positioned between a pair of links 6, 6. Furthermore, the fusible link 5 carries the lowermost link 6 from which the frangible vessel or container lr-is suspended. Container-t isspreferably made spherical and-relatively large. [for the-purpose of carrying a suitable quantity of carbon tetrachloride, which upon fracture of the container l at the predetermined temperature .will cause a release of such contents for the*purp'ose of extinguishing the fire or heat effect; producing the predetermined temperature.

The cap 2 of the container l is of-general disklike shape provided with an eyelet 3 fonpurpwe of suspension, and therinner side of such cap membenis fused at 4 .to'i'the outerfledgeor rim of the bottle neck;:;the1ebWpro-Vidirig an; hermetical sear off'the' bottle-contents. '-"It"ishere: noted that a; portion" of the outer side'of-"the cap 2 is disk- '-like in shape providinga fiat surface for receivi'ng the'temperaturemark of 135 B; such-being the critical temperature ion-the fracture -of the frangible vessel or bottle I which is loosel-Ysuspended? =int'the'imountingcof Figure 1 and-:1 p'osi- ::t'ioned b tween: the prongs -oftithe ferk or -yoke' 9 atmthe ioutereendne'fk: the;l'owenmosti horizontal srmi'fl.

The eyelet 3 on the cap 2 of the frangiblelbottl'e 01; container: permits anyonezirr the 'llibinifiyi of .the ifire ;1to,.=pinkt thezbottiesbys branch-away; I'mmrrthe .lowermoslzilinki 6a andszthrow iti; at 'mhezfire. The subsequent impact will break the bottle;;1the:. contents:extinguishingrthepfine.

--Referring-. new. to: thearnourusins :device; shown im Eigure-Aeithe: automatic-sprinkler. therein is provided with av fitting, including a yokemember 20 twhich; carriesxatronaenda asthreadede plug: l I .whi'ch -i'sldesigned'tobe threadeddnto the-extremity of a pipe (not illustrated). "Such a pipe-constitutes asourcerofwwatensupply receiving-water .undercpressure'..andtkthe plugd lchas. arbore; i2 is. closed by; a: yalvesseatsmember .36.: of bronze; material having 9;cOpl9Br-1insert or, gasket 3T..to .-receive;the .bottom, portion. of;v the frangible bottle member 22; -The valve seathmembenjfi .has a. copper vfacingtor.1ine1i38, on its closuretside :suitablyishapedlstd; seatgupontarr. annular .fl'ange 2T concentric Withthe bore I 21 At. the..upperrendcoftthe, yoke memberi. 2,0, I provide a' bridge member '23" bearing, centrally against ,themetallic-cap. 35. ofzthe frangiblebottl'e "2'2; '"jThi's' bridge memhen'ti's" formed'jjfroml bronze alloy; on:material andiiisli rovided with. a ;sma1l ,recessor'depressionfzij constructe'dtoreceive the pointedend'"26- of. afthnea'ded adjusting stem 2 1.

This stem 2-'l""is 'carried' byrthe 370K652!) and is provided with: anpperating member in the form of a. hand" wheel28i It is noted that the frangiblfbulbfll isof substant-i'allya'corn formationr'althoughither'particular' shape or-'sizeof-=s1rclr bulborbot'tle is not the essence of myinvention:

*"l heifrangiblebulb orbottle- 2 2 is-provided with awall st'ructure S -substantially uniform throughout'pand hasten; open endiat 'm which is defined hy: a neclc's'l ".L-A -fiesiied quantityptsome-expansive material susceptible to the influence of heat, and subsequent expansion, causing fracture of the bottle upon a predetermined temperature being reached, is placed in the bottle 22. Carbon tetrachloride is one material which has been found suitable for this use.

A stopper or cork is shown at 32 which may be placed downwardly in the neck 3| so as to build-up pressure in the air above the expansive material, in this instance being carbon tetrachloride and indicated at 33. After the cork or stopper 32 has been positioned, a cap member 35 of fiat disk-like shape is positioned over the edge orflrims-ofsthe'heck 3l.- v:.'I=h,is. -caprmemloer 35 is metallic and is :fused directly rtolthaedge or rim of the bottle in the same manner as is indicated at *3 in the modification of bottle, as presented in Figures 2 and 3.

"Thismethod of connecting the cap member 35 to ti-ebottle 22 provides an unusually eflicient and effective hermetic seal and is one of the essential features vo-f -my present invention. The temperature of F., is one of the critical temperatures, especially adapted for automatic sprinklers, and such marking has been placed uponthe metal cap-35*of Figure-5.

The specificj'type oribot'tle,, shown-in Figure 5, is especially adapted for usein they-yoke member 2 6' of-Figure twh-erein the'bridge member 23 is of inverted 'u shapeand is adaptedtob e adjusted vertically'downward; and" axially about? theouter edge of the metallic, capimember' 35, ith'ereby producing uniformity of pressure about the pe'riphery cf the :neck, 311-offthe-frangible bottle 2 2;

A: modified: type of "metal cap is "disclosed in Figure 6 ;-of theidrawing "and comprises a' cap member l'dihaving a central' tubular'neck i 5; the inner side? of suclr cap" being-fused to the outer edge; or rimot the'bottlefineck at eyin the same manner ashas beenembodied in themodification of cap; shown-inFigures 2- and" 3. Theitubular neck-15 0f thecap lei-is externally threadedand the bore thereof -is-covered by "an internally threaded capmember 6 adjustable thereon. This construction" provides for adjusting che -pressure of the air or'gas in"thetfr-angiblebottief 22; as well aspermitting thetintroductiom of' other or additional gaseous material tothe bottle.

After the frangible bottle 22, oi Figure ,4; has been properly assembled.- as .anautomaticsprinkler, upon the predetermined temperature of 175 F. being reached in .the. vicinity, of such.b0t t1,e,rupture.of thebottle will-occunandthe water .pressure wilL-cperatethrough .thebore l2-of the yoke member 23, proyidinaa-streambfwater for extinguishing the fire.

vWhile" several preferred embodiments; .ofzmypinvention'tare-herein: set-ionthnmyiinvention is not to-be limiteduto the, exact-constructionillustrated and described-, --because various-" modifications of 'the -de'ta'i-ls-maybe provided iii-putting theinvention intc practice within the-purview ofthe appendedclaim;

What is claimed is:

' In an automati-c.-,sprink1er .head assembly includin a, yoke member, .a threaded plug. carried by's'aiol yoke membertatone. en'dthereof and having abore extending therethrou'gnsaid plug being adapted to be connectedtoasource of, supply of water under pressure, a cover member for said bore, said coverrmember' having aface; remote from "said'bore and'whichface is formed'with a curved depression, a: screw -stem threaded'in the other end of said yoke; an'd' a bridge member engaged by said stem; the improvement consisting of a fracturable glass bottle having a main body portion with a lower end curved to conform to said depression in which it is received and a reduced neck upstanding from said body portion, said neck having a bore communicating with the interior of said bottle, a cork within the bore in said neck and having an outer face spaced from the outer end of the bore in said neck, and a cap in the form of a fiat metallic disc with its outer edge portion fused to the end of said neck to close the face thereon, said cap being engaged by said bridge member under pressure to maintain said cover member in position closing the bore in said plug.

LEROY M. LEWIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

